An oil drilling platform capsized off the northeastern coast of Egypt on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least four crew members, with several more reported injured or missing. The incident occurred in the Gulf of Suez, approximately 250 kilometers from the entrance to the Suez Canal, a critical artery in global maritime trade.
According to Egyptian authorities, the rig — identified as Adam Marine 12 — was carrying a crew of 30 when it overturned near the Jabal al-Zeit area. The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed the incident in a statement on Facebook, after being alerted by the Offshore Shukeir Oil Company Co. (OSOCO), which operates the platform. The cause of the accident has not been disclosed.
Emergency medical efforts were swift. Four injured individuals were airlifted from the scene, while 18 others were transported by ambulance to El Gouna Hospital in eastern Egypt. The Health Ministry, posting via the social media platform X, confirmed that the bodies of four deceased crew members were transferred to the general hospital in Hurghada.
Senior government officials, including Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, as well as the Ministers of Petroleum and Labor, are closely monitoring the situation.
epa03784137 A handout image dated 22 June 2013 and released by NASA on 11 July 2013 showing an image made by an astronaut aboard International Space Station (ISS), providing a panoramic view of most of the length of the Red Sea. The northernmost end, the Gulf of Suez, is just visible at the top center of the image and is fully 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) in ground distance from the International Space Station (ISS). EPA/NASA / HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A Strategic Region Under Pressure
The Gulf of Suez is adjacent to the Suez Canal — one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime routes, connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and serving as a key conduit for cargo between Asia and Europe. Prior to late 2023, around 12% of all global seaborne trade passed through this narrow channel.
However, the region’s stability has been challenged in recent months due to Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea, which the group claims are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These security concerns have forced some vessels to reroute, impacting international shipping timelines and costs.
This is not the first time the Suez Canal area has faced disruptions. In 2021, the Ever Given — a massive 200,000-ton container ship — famously ran aground, blocking the canal for six days and creating a severe backlog in global shipping.
The recent platform disaster further underscores the volatility and risks associated with operations in one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive maritime zones.
